Background To Business in UAE
www.arabswiss.ch
The United Arab Emirates consists of seven states: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain. Each of these states has its own identity and individual characteristics (some are more liberal in their attitudes to clothing etc. than others) but they also share a great many commonalities and this country profile will concentrate on the commonalities and, as such, can be used as a guide to all the states which comprise the UAE.
A key issue to bear in mind when doing business in the Emirates would be the cosmopolitan nature of the population. Over 80% of the population of the region are non-locals. It is almost more likely, therefore, that you will be doing business with a western expatriate then with a local Emirati.
A key question to ask before starting any project in the UAE would be: ‘Who am I dealing with?’ Obviously,dealing with an American expatriate will require a different approach than when dealing with a local. Do some research in advance and work out, not only who you will be dealing with directly, but also who is the final decision-maker. You may be dealing with an American - but are they reporting to a local, senior business man?
Another key issue to bear in mind is that,beneath the veneer of Westernisation, the Emirates remain a region heavily influenced by the all-embracing influence of the teachings of Islam. There is little separation between religion, life in general and business – they are all interlinked in a way that is alien to most western business people. Show great respect to local religious sensitivities at all times – not to do so could be a real deal-breaker.
Freitag, 25. Mai 2012
Freitag, 18. Mai 2012
Background To Business in Switzerland
www.arabswiss.ch
Switzerland has a reputation for order, decency and an almost obsessive desire for security. The Swiss are, for example, the most heavily insured nation in the world - a fact reflected in the number of insurance and re-insurance businesses based in the country - and have the highest per capita insurance spend. These characteristics permeate every aspect of Swiss life and also percolate down to the business level.
Thus, the Swiss approach to business can be classified as orderly and thoughtful where pre-planning and risk-aversion are to the fore. The type of crisis management apparent in countries such as the UK, where the ability to deal with unexpected events as they occur is highly prized, would be viewed as haphazard and as showing a lack of control.
Although containing a sizeable number of Italian and French speakers', business comes very much before relationships in Switzerland. Respect is earned through the display of professionalism and technical competence rather than through the ability to cultivate the right quality of personal relationships.
Surprisingly, despite the regional differences which are more obvious in Switzerland than in most other countries, there seems to be a surprising degree of homogeneity in approach to business life throughout the country. The obvious exception to this homogeneity is in attitudes to communication, which are very much determined by the native language of the individual
www.arabswiss.ch
Switzerland has a reputation for order, decency and an almost obsessive desire for security. The Swiss are, for example, the most heavily insured nation in the world - a fact reflected in the number of insurance and re-insurance businesses based in the country - and have the highest per capita insurance spend. These characteristics permeate every aspect of Swiss life and also percolate down to the business level.
Thus, the Swiss approach to business can be classified as orderly and thoughtful where pre-planning and risk-aversion are to the fore. The type of crisis management apparent in countries such as the UK, where the ability to deal with unexpected events as they occur is highly prized, would be viewed as haphazard and as showing a lack of control.
Although containing a sizeable number of Italian and French speakers', business comes very much before relationships in Switzerland. Respect is earned through the display of professionalism and technical competence rather than through the ability to cultivate the right quality of personal relationships.
Surprisingly, despite the regional differences which are more obvious in Switzerland than in most other countries, there seems to be a surprising degree of homogeneity in approach to business life throughout the country. The obvious exception to this homogeneity is in attitudes to communication, which are very much determined by the native language of the individual
Background To Business in Switzerland
www-arabswiss.ch
Switzerland has a reputation for order, decency and an almost obsessive desire for security. The Swiss are, for example, the most heavily insured nation in the world - a fact reflected in the number of insurance and re-insurance businesses based in the country - and have the highest per capita insurance spend. These characteristics permeate every aspect of Swiss life and also percolate down to the business level.
Thus, the Swiss approach to business can be classified as orderly and thoughtful where pre-planning and risk-aversion are to the fore. The type of crisis management apparent in countries such as the UK, where the ability to deal with unexpected events as they occur is highly prized, would be viewed as haphazard and as showing a lack of control.
Although containing a sizeable number of Italian and French speakers', business comes very much before relationships in Switzerland. Respect is earned through the display of professionalism and technical competence rather than through the ability to cultivate the right quality of personal relationships.
Surprisingly, despite the regional differences which are more obvious in Switzerland than in most other countries, there seems to be a surprising degree of homogeneity in approach to business life throughout the country. The obvious exception to this homogeneity is in attitudes to communication, which are very much determined by the native language of the individual
www-arabswiss.ch
Switzerland has a reputation for order, decency and an almost obsessive desire for security. The Swiss are, for example, the most heavily insured nation in the world - a fact reflected in the number of insurance and re-insurance businesses based in the country - and have the highest per capita insurance spend. These characteristics permeate every aspect of Swiss life and also percolate down to the business level.
Thus, the Swiss approach to business can be classified as orderly and thoughtful where pre-planning and risk-aversion are to the fore. The type of crisis management apparent in countries such as the UK, where the ability to deal with unexpected events as they occur is highly prized, would be viewed as haphazard and as showing a lack of control.
Although containing a sizeable number of Italian and French speakers', business comes very much before relationships in Switzerland. Respect is earned through the display of professionalism and technical competence rather than through the ability to cultivate the right quality of personal relationships.
Surprisingly, despite the regional differences which are more obvious in Switzerland than in most other countries, there seems to be a surprising degree of homogeneity in approach to business life throughout the country. The obvious exception to this homogeneity is in attitudes to communication, which are very much determined by the native language of the individual
Donnerstag, 17. Mai 2012
Arab Communication Styles
-www.arabswiss.ch
One of the most difficult concepts for many other cultures to grasp is the need to offer flattery in many business situations. Arabic is a language of hyperbole, where the merits of others are praised and overtly commented upon. Therefore, during the relationship-building process, it is important to offer compliments to your host, his organisation and the Muslim world in general. You, in return, will be complimented. Do not seem distant, aloof or embarrassed if this happens - take the compliments in the spirit they are given.
You may be asked questions which seem overly familiar at a very early stage. Questions about marital status, children, religious convictions and personal wealth are commonplace. If you feel uncomfortable answering such questions, have a ready supply of stock answers at your disposal. Refrain from saying that you are an atheist as this is incomprehensible in a society in which the absolute existence of a monotheistic deity is a given.
People are reluctant to convey bad news to you about any business issues. When this characteristic is combined with natural Arabic hyperbole, it is important to maintain a sense of perspective when being given very positive feedback about any particular proposition.
Do not be surprised if people seem somewhat aggressive in meeting situations. Speaking volubly and with a rising tone shows sincerity. This denotes engagement and interest and is in no way a negative sign. (The ability to converse in this manner is a much-admired characteristic in the region.)
Finally,be aware of the importance of good,strong eye contact. A man's sincerity and honour can be judged by their ability to look you in the eye. This can be somewhat uncomfortable for those from cultures with much weaker eye contact (many Asian countries) but efforts must be made in this area.
-www.arabswiss.ch
One of the most difficult concepts for many other cultures to grasp is the need to offer flattery in many business situations. Arabic is a language of hyperbole, where the merits of others are praised and overtly commented upon. Therefore, during the relationship-building process, it is important to offer compliments to your host, his organisation and the Muslim world in general. You, in return, will be complimented. Do not seem distant, aloof or embarrassed if this happens - take the compliments in the spirit they are given.
You may be asked questions which seem overly familiar at a very early stage. Questions about marital status, children, religious convictions and personal wealth are commonplace. If you feel uncomfortable answering such questions, have a ready supply of stock answers at your disposal. Refrain from saying that you are an atheist as this is incomprehensible in a society in which the absolute existence of a monotheistic deity is a given.
People are reluctant to convey bad news to you about any business issues. When this characteristic is combined with natural Arabic hyperbole, it is important to maintain a sense of perspective when being given very positive feedback about any particular proposition.
Do not be surprised if people seem somewhat aggressive in meeting situations. Speaking volubly and with a rising tone shows sincerity. This denotes engagement and interest and is in no way a negative sign. (The ability to converse in this manner is a much-admired characteristic in the region.)
Finally,be aware of the importance of good,strong eye contact. A man's sincerity and honour can be judged by their ability to look you in the eye. This can be somewhat uncomfortable for those from cultures with much weaker eye contact (many Asian countries) but efforts must be made in this area.
Samstag, 5. Mai 2012
Women in Business in UAE
www.arabswiss.ch
The situation in the UAE is very different than in neighbouring Saudi Arabia where opportunities for women are very restricted.
There is an increasing sense of entrepreneurship amongst local women which means that conditions have changed considerably in the past ten years or so. Although it is still possible to meet local men who show an overt gender bias (and these older, more traditional men are often the decision-makers), it is becoming increasingly common to encounter women in business in all sectors of the economy.
These changes have probably been driven by the sheer number of expatriates who work in the region and the influence of the many multi-national corporations who operate there and who import their beliefs on gender equality (a well as other diversity strands). It is impossible to say there is no gender bias in the UAE (Dubai is probably the most liberal of the states) but international women business travellers shouldn’t find this too much of an issue.
www.arabswiss.ch
www.arabswiss.ch
The situation in the UAE is very different than in neighbouring Saudi Arabia where opportunities for women are very restricted.
There is an increasing sense of entrepreneurship amongst local women which means that conditions have changed considerably in the past ten years or so. Although it is still possible to meet local men who show an overt gender bias (and these older, more traditional men are often the decision-makers), it is becoming increasingly common to encounter women in business in all sectors of the economy.
These changes have probably been driven by the sheer number of expatriates who work in the region and the influence of the many multi-national corporations who operate there and who import their beliefs on gender equality (a well as other diversity strands). It is impossible to say there is no gender bias in the UAE (Dubai is probably the most liberal of the states) but international women business travellers shouldn’t find this too much of an issue.
www.arabswiss.ch
Freitag, 4. Mai 2012
Arab Teams
www.arabswiss.ch
As with most strongly hierarchical cultures, teams tend to be thought of as a group of individuals working to a strong leader. The leader tells individual team members what to do and the team members report back directly to the leader. Therefore teams tend to work vertically rather than horizontally.
In any case, for a team to work well together, everybody needs to have formed a strong bond. Traditionally teams would have consisted of extended family members working together – and so the bonds were already formed. It can be difficult to bring a group of locals together who do not know each other and expect them to work easily as a team from the beginning. In such a situation, people tend to display suspicion of one another and progress can be slow.
Within any gathering of Emiratis, hierarchy will always be present and even if you wish to develop a flat system within the team, it is likely that traditional class and family issues will result in an unofficial hierarchy developing very quickly indeed
www.arabswiss.ch
As with most strongly hierarchical cultures, teams tend to be thought of as a group of individuals working to a strong leader. The leader tells individual team members what to do and the team members report back directly to the leader. Therefore teams tend to work vertically rather than horizontally.
In any case, for a team to work well together, everybody needs to have formed a strong bond. Traditionally teams would have consisted of extended family members working together – and so the bonds were already formed. It can be difficult to bring a group of locals together who do not know each other and expect them to work easily as a team from the beginning. In such a situation, people tend to display suspicion of one another and progress can be slow.
Within any gathering of Emiratis, hierarchy will always be present and even if you wish to develop a flat system within the team, it is likely that traditional class and family issues will result in an unofficial hierarchy developing very quickly indeed
Arab Teams
As with most strongly hierarchical cultures, teams tend to be thought of as a group of individuals working to a strong leader. The leader tells individual team members what to do and the team members report back directly to the leader. Therefore teams tend to work vertically rather than horizontally.
In any case, for a team to work well together, everybody needs to have formed a strong bond. Traditionally teams would have consisted of extended family members working together – and so the bonds were already formed. It can be difficult to bring a group of locals together who do not know each other and expect them to work easily as a team from the beginning. In such a situation, people tend to display suspicion of one another and progress can be slow.
Within any gathering of Emiratis, hierarchy will always be present and even if you wish to develop a flat system within the team, it is likely that traditional class and family issues will result in an unofficial hierarchy developing very quickly indeed
As with most strongly hierarchical cultures, teams tend to be thought of as a group of individuals working to a strong leader. The leader tells individual team members what to do and the team members report back directly to the leader. Therefore teams tend to work vertically rather than horizontally.
In any case, for a team to work well together, everybody needs to have formed a strong bond. Traditionally teams would have consisted of extended family members working together – and so the bonds were already formed. It can be difficult to bring a group of locals together who do not know each other and expect them to work easily as a team from the beginning. In such a situation, people tend to display suspicion of one another and progress can be slow.
Within any gathering of Emiratis, hierarchy will always be present and even if you wish to develop a flat system within the team, it is likely that traditional class and family issues will result in an unofficial hierarchy developing very quickly indeed
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